By Otsile Kadiege

During a live briefing held earlier on today, Toyota’s Akio Toyoda announced that Toyota Motor Corporation plans on launching 30 battery electric models by 2030, offering a full line-up of battery EVs in the passenger and commercial segments. Toyota also revealed that 16 of those Toyota and Lexus BEV models are ready for market launch, including the all-new Toyota bZ4X due next year. The automaker is anticipating sales of 3.5 million BEVs globally by 2030. 

Akio Toyoda explained during the presentation that we are living in a diversified world and in an era in which it is hard to predict the future. Toyoda adds “therefore, it is difficult to make everyone happy with a one-size-fits-all option. That is why Toyota wants to prepare as many options as possible for our customers around the world. We believe that all electrified vehicles can be divided into two categories, depending on the energy that they use. One category is that of carbon-reducing vehicles and the other carbon-neutral vehicles”.

Toyota now offers more than 100 models of engine-only vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and fuel cell electric vehicles in more than 170 countries and regions. The Lexus brand has introduced more than 30 models of engine-only vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in more than 90 countries and regions.

Lexus has long been a pioneer of hybrid technology and has pursued unique styling and a unique driving signature. Akio Toyoda says, “we will deliver a unique electrified Lexus that combines linear motor acceleration/deceleration, brake feeling and exhilarating handling to further pursue the joy of driving. In particular, we believe that the Battery EV will become the future symbol of Lexus as a model that most clearly expresses the evolution of the automobile brought about by electrification.” 

Toyoda concluded that, “Going forward, we will increase our new investment in batteries from the 1.5 trillion yen announced in September to 2 trillion yen, aiming to realise even more-advanced, high-quality, and affordable batteries.”